Mexico Armored Vehicle Sector Surges 39% in 2025

Mexico’s regulated vehicle armoring industry expanded 39% in 2025, surpassing earlier growth projections, as rising insecurity, higher vehicle theft rates and increased cargo robberies drove demand for ballistic protection across the public and private sectors, according to industry associations and official data.

The Asociación Intercontinental de Blindadores (AIB) reported that 3,888 identification holograms with QR codes were issued in 2025 by the Dirección General de Seguridad Privada (DGSP), part of the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC). The figure represents a 39% year-over-year increase compared with 2024 and exceeds the association’s prior projection of 30% growth.

“The issuance of holograms and the growth recorded in 2025 are a positive sign that the sector is advancing toward a more regulated, transparent and reliable model,” AIB said. The association added that reaching 3,888 identification holograms “reflects not only greater demand for armoring solutions, but also a strengthening of control, supervision and regulatory compliance processes within the sector.”

AIB represents 14 companies, including Armoring Group, Armored Security, BLX Armoring, CMB Blindados, RUHE, Distribuciones e Importaciones del Pedregal, Protection Materials, Protecto Glass International, TBI Armoring and Commerce, Safety Car Blindados, RGM Armor International, Armoring & Tactical Products, Rüstung Blindajes and ARP Blindaje Armored Research Products. The organization said its primary objective is “to work hand in hand with companies to strengthen armoring quality, optimize processes and generate greater consumer confidence.”

Industry executives acknowledged ongoing challenges from unregulated operators. “We have backing and support, we have best practices, we are companies authorized by the federal government to carry out this work in accordance with the law that governs it and complying with the highest quality standards in our country,” one AIB executive said, referring to competition from illegal or noncompliant providers.

Separate data from the Asociación Mexicana de Blindadores de Automotores (AMBA) and the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) indicate that at least 4,000 vehicles underwent various levels of body and glass reinforcement in Mexico in 2025. Industry representatives noted that the market is no longer limited to senior officials or top executives.

“The market for armoring has ceased to be exclusive to officials or high-level executives. This protection measure has extended to families and medium-sized entrepreneurs who seek not to be targets of crime,” industry sources said.

INEGI data show that the perception of insecurity among residents of urban areas rose from 58.6% in 2024 to 63% in 2025. The increase was attributed primarily to armed conflicts in states with organized crime presence. According to federal government information cited by monitoring organizations, 63% of respondents considered their city unsafe by the end of the third quarter of 2025, despite reports of a 40% reduction in homicides compared with the beginning of the current federal administration and an increase in government operations.

Vehicle theft data underscore the security context. INEGI reported 105,459 vehicle thefts in 2025. Of those, 5,345 cases involved violence and 39,258 occurred without aggression. The State of Mexico recorded the highest number of reported vehicle thefts with 19,508 cases, followed by Puebla with 9,915, Jalisco with 8,490, Baja California with 7,551 and Sinaloa with 5,846. Mexico City registered 5,456 cases, Guanajuato 5,301, Michoacán 4,802, Veracruz 4,141 and Morelos 3,956.

At the municipal level, Tijuana recorded 4,457 vehicle robberies, followed by Culiacán with 3,540, Puebla with 3,470 and Guadalajara with 2,419. Other municipalities with high incidence included Ecatepec with 2,297 cases, Querétaro with 2,136, Ciudad Juárez with 1,881, Mexicali with 1,713, Tlalnepantla with 1,589 and Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo, with 1,404.

The security environment has also affected cargo transport. Business organizations including the Cámara Nacional del Autotransporte de Carga (CANACAR) and the Asociación Nacional de Empresas de Rastreo y Protección Vehicular (ANERPV) reported that 2025 marked a record year for cargo unit theft, with losses exceeding MX$7 billion (US$407.7 million). More than 16,000 assaults were reported, 68% of them involving violence. The central, Bajío and western regions accounted for more than 80% of incidents, led by the State of Mexico, followed by Puebla, Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí.

In response, transport companies have invested in tracking technologies, private security and operational adjustments to mitigate risks, including evaluating the armoring of truck cabins. Costs vary depending on the level of protection required.

Within the passenger vehicle segment, AMBA reported that Level III protection accounts for 72% of demand. This level is designed to protect against .44 Magnum handgun fire and is commonly used for urban assault scenarios. Industry representatives noted that in Mexico, protection levels are based on international standards such as those of the National Institute of Justice and equivalent ballistic standards, typically ranging from Level II to Level V for civilian use.

Sport utility vehicles dominate the armoring market, representing an estimated nine out of 10 services. Among the most frequently armored models are the Chevrolet Suburban, RAM pickup trucks from Stellantis and Ford pickup models. Industry representatives also reported that BYD and Tesla vehicles are now being armored.

Cost remains a key consideration for clients. According to industry data, armoring prices vary depending on vehicle type and ballistic resistance level. Level III protection against handguns typically ranges from MX$350,000 (US$20,384) to MX$550,000 (US$32,032), while Level IV protection against high-powered weapons averages around MX$650,000 (US$37,856). Basic protection services may start at MX$170,000 (US$9,900), while more advanced services can exceed MX$1.5 million (US$87,361). 

AMBA, which marks 26 years of activity, said it integrates 10 of the most established automotive armoring companies in Mexico. The association maintains three technical pillars: preservation of ballistic integrity, full and efficient vehicle operation, and careful aesthetics. The organization stated that it requires strict technical, quality and operational standards from its members to ensure administrative and technical reliability in a market characterized by both higher protection levels and increasing democratization of access.